bases loaded

Question
QUESTION: Situation:  the bases are loaded the ball gets hit to third on the ground,  the runner on third decides to stay on the bag,  he is forced to go home but doesn"t. can i tag him even if he is standing on the base, or do i have to throw home?

ANSWER: Hi nuno,

No the runner is forced from the base and is no longer protected while standing on the base.

Tag R1 FIRST and then step on the bag for a dp.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  situation: runners on second and third, 1  out  .  A pop fly is hit to left field,  the left fielder catches it, the runner on second left early,  the runner on third tagged up properly and crossed home before the third out was made at second by tagging the base,  since the runner left early.  Does the run count?

Answer
Hi nuno,

This is NOT a force out but a live ball appeal of a base left too early, it is considered a "timing play"  

You can only have a force out when a player loses the right to legally occupy a base because the batter became a b-r.  Here we no longer have a b-r because the ball was caught and R2 can legally re-occupy 2nd.

The run would count if R1 touched home before the LBA at 2nd.

Mark